Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if my student loan servicer lost my prior payment records?
If your student loan servicer lost records of your prior payments, that usually does not mean the payments never happened. In general, servicers are expected to keep account histories and apply payments correctly, but re...
Do I have to accept store credit instead of a refund for a defective product?
In general, whether you have to accept store credit instead of a refund for a defective product depends on the store’s return policy, the type of product, what was promised at the time of sale, and any applicable Arizona...
What happens if a hidden camera video of me was uploaded online?
If a hidden camera video of you was uploaded online, it can raise serious privacy, safety, and reputation concerns. In general, the fact that the video was posted publicly does not make the recording legal. Depending on...
What are my rights if someone keeps leaving notes on my windshield saying they are watching me?
If someone keeps leaving notes on your windshield saying they are watching you, that can be frightening and may be legally significant. In general, you may have rights related to unwanted contact, harassment, stalking, t...
Do I have to preserve the device if I find a hidden camera in my hotel room?
If you find what looks like a hidden camera in a Pennsylvania hotel room, it is usually a good idea to preserve the device and the surrounding scene if you can do so safely. In general, the condition of the device, where...
Do I have to pay support for college expenses after my child turns 18?
In Pennsylvania, the answer may be yes, in some situations, but not automatically. Child support often ends when a child reaches adulthood, yet a Pennsylvania court may sometimes order a parent to contribute to post-seco...
Can my landlord force me to sign a new lease with higher rent before my current lease ends?
In general, a landlord cannot simply change the rent in the middle of a fixed-term lease just by asking you to sign a new lease. If you already have a current lease for a set term, that lease usually controls until it en...
Can a Store Ban Me After I Disputed a Chargeback?
Yes, a store can often ban a customer after a chargeback, but the answer depends on the facts and the type of business involved. In general, private stores have broad discretion to decide who they will serve, unless a ba...
How do I handle a pet sitter who lost my dog during a walk?
If a pet sitter lost your dog during a walk, the first priority is usually to search, notify local shelters and animal control, and preserve all communication with the sitter. In Hawaii, as in many states, the exact lega...
What are my rights if I was hurt by broken glass left in a hotel room?
If you were hurt by broken glass left in a hotel room in Oklahoma, you may have a possible premises-liability or negligence claim against the hotel or another responsible party, depending on the facts. In general, hotels...
Can I be evicted for refusing to pay a new monthly trash fee that was not in my lease?
In West Virginia, the answer usually depends on what the lease says, how the landlord changed the charge, and whether the fee is being treated as rent or as another lease obligation. If the lease did not include a trash...
Can a pet boarding facility charge emergency vet fees without calling me first?
In North Carolina, a pet boarding facility may sometimes charge emergency veterinary fees without calling first, but that usually depends on the boarding agreement, the circumstances of the emergency, and what the facili...
What are my rights if a debt collector threatens legal action without proof?
If a debt collector threatens to sue or take other legal action without showing proof of the debt, you may have rights under federal debt collection law and possibly Missouri consumer protection law. In general, collecto...
Can I record a threatening phone call if I am afraid the person will deny it later?
In Massachusetts, the answer usually depends on whether recording the call would comply with state and federal privacy laws. Massachusetts is generally considered a two-party consent state, which means it is often illega...
Can a phone company keep billing me after I ported my number out?
In general, a phone company should not keep charging you for service that has actually ended, but a bill after you port your number out does not always mean the charge is improper. In many situations, carriers continue b...